Das Markenrecht als Instrument und Reflex des Wettbewerbs : Eine systematische Darstellung der Marke als Verzahnung von Wettbewerbsmittel und Rechtsinstitut auf Basis der europäischen und deutschen Markenrechtsreform

The dissertation investigates to what extent the reform of the Trade Mark Law by the European Community legislation, the Trade Mark Directive and the Community Trade Mark Regulation and by the following German Trade Mark Law takes the changed role of branding into account.It analyses the weighing up of the conflicting interests of the trade mark proprietors, the other users of brands in the market, the general public and the consumers, which has been realized by the new Trade Mark Law. The first part of the dissertation deals with the economic functions of branding; the second part investigates the legal instruments for using brands in competition. In conclusion the dissertation pays tribute to the special relationship of the reformed Trade Mark Law and the changed role of branding and to its effectiveness for competition.